ASME IX Question

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I am no expert and am teaching the code to myself so I need a little help. Page 53 (301.2)of the code states "the performance qualification test shall be welded in accordance with qualified WPS".Does this mean I have to use the same dimensions for performance qualification testing that was used in the WPS. I have bought "super coupons" which are 1/2" thick and claim to cover unlimited thickness, but the WPS was qualified with 1.5". Do my performance qualifications need to be 1.5" also?I am a bit confused. Can anyone help enlighten me?
Reply:ASME IX I am not too familar with but. My understanding is that a WPS can be very broad.  And just because the WPS was qualified with 1.5" thickness, that does not mean you have to qualify with that thickness.  If you weld 1/2 thick then ASME IX will tell you what thickness you are qualified to.  I am getting an ASME IX tomorrow, so I will look in to that more.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:Ok grabbed an ASME IX 2007 edition.  I am going to assume a couple of variables:  You are qualifiying using SMAW, you are using only one progression (either up or down), and it is only you and not multiple welders depositing metal for the test coupon.A little research does show the a Supercoupon barely meets the requirements to qualify a welder to unlimited thickness.  Now as I research this within ASME IX I get a real head scratcher because how table QW-452.1(b) is laid out.   It can be taken that it is only qualified 2 times the thickness of the material OR that it is 'Maximum To Be Welded".  Well what does that mean?! To the maximum that the WPS was qualified?  Which in your case 1.5 inches would qualifies to 8 inches.Again, I think I just scratched the surface on this and would appreciate someone elses input.P.s.  Do a search on '452.1(b)' and you see a lot of people are having the same issues as you.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:I will do my best to help you with the original question and clarify the other stuff. Originally Posted by mundspI am no expert and am teaching the code to myself so I need a little help. Page 53 (301.2)of the code states "the performance qualification test shall be welded in accordance with qualified WPS".Does this mean I have to use the same dimensions for performance qualification testing that was used in the WPS. I have bought "super coupons" which are 1/2" thick and claim to cover unlimited thickness, but the WPS was qualified with 1.5". Do my performance qualifications need to be 1.5" also?I am a bit confused. Can anyone help enlighten me?
Reply:Originally Posted by Fegenbush1/2" and over with a minimum of three layers (passes) qualifies you for maximum to be welded (unlimited thickness, limited by maximum allowable per code of construction)
Reply:Originally Posted by jbyrdNaturally a question answered creates a question in need of answering.  Now I am referencing QW-451.  Now if his WPS was qualified at 1.5", SMAW, with deposited weld metal greater than 3/4", wouldn't it be qualified from 3/16" to 8"?  Making sure I am interpreting that correctly.
Reply:Originally Posted by FegenbushSo, what QW 301.2 means is that your qualifying weld must be in conformance with all essential variables of the WPS.  The WPS will list the applicable thickness range among other things.  If 1/2" is within that range, proceed, otherwise, acquire the appropriate weld procedure.  It *may* be the case that 1 1/2" is the maximum permitted on the WPS since any greater than that (P No. 1 Material) would require Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT).  If I could see a copy of the appropriate documents, I would be able to give you a much more definite answer.QW 452.1(b) is not too hard to deal with, if you look at it this way:All (thicknesses of test plate) qualify you for 2t (twice that thickness)\r(carriage return)1/2" and over with a minimum of three layers (passes) qualifies you for maximum to be welded (unlimited thickness, limited by maximum allowable per code of construction)This is an oddity of the tables in the ASME code that are difficult to wrap your head around at first.
Reply:Originally Posted by mundspSo the confusion comes from the difference in essential variables between the procedure and performance qualification and the code contradicts itself/leaves room for interpretation between 452.1 and  301.2.Correct?
Reply:Originally Posted by FegenbushIf the original coupon was 1 1/2" thick, that would qualify from 3/16" to 2T (3") thick material.  Think of this as the butt weld scenario.The weld metal deposited (next column over) would also be 2T (3") if a single process is used (SMAW only, e.g.).  This is primarily used for fillet welding, since, for butt welding, the deposited thickness and the plate thickness are the same (excluding the excess reinforcement, which is not counted in this figure).The keys to these two areas are thickness of *base* metal and thickness of *weld* metal.  The guys who write the code argue about whether the top or bottom of a period is darker, so there's no need to split hairs.I hope this is a little clearer.  Section IX has many areas that seem to contradict itself.  This is only one of them.